By Gail Smith
At 8 am on Saturday, August 8, Vietnam Veterans began lining up at Wood Park to register for the Welcome Home that was to be held throughout the day in their honor. There were hugs and tears and handshakes and anticipation as more and more of the honored guests arrived and reconnections were made with comrades.
[private]At 10 am, the Welcome Home Parade led by about 35 Patriot Guard Riders, kicked off under beautiful blue skies, with a gentle breeze and comfortable summer temperatures. It included all of the typical fanfare – bands, fire trucks, Honor Guards, marchers, convertibles, plus our special guests of honor – Vietnam Veterans and their family members.
Mid-stream, a flag raising ceremony was held at the Peace Pole at the Hoosick Falls Fire Department to honor all Vietnam Veterans who never returned home. Thankfully, none of them were from the Town of Hoosick. PGR NYS Ride Captain Bill Schaaf presented the Town of Hoosick POW/MIA Flag to Phil Leonard who assisted in the flag raising, then lowering, while Joyce Brewer read a Tribute to those who didn’t return.
their return, a similar ceremony was held at the flag pole at Wood Park in honor of Vietnam Veterans Michael W. Bornt, US Navy, who had passed away on Friday. Shari Hand then sang the National Anthem.
Elected officials from local to Congressional level attended and offered words of support and encouragement for the veterans, while a crowd of 300 to 400 people looked on.
Approximately 110 Vietnam Vets who attended or were represented by family members were recognized by name and received certificates from Senator Kathy Marchione, Congressman Chris Gibson, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, and Rensselaer and County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote. Patriot Guard Vietnam veterans were made honorary residents of the Town of Hoosick and Hoosick Falls for the day and were also included in receiving certificates.
Guest Speaker
John Ostwald
Guest Speaker-John Ostwald, a Vietnam Era Vet (US Navy) talked about healing and reconciliation and thanked all of those who were waiting back home.
A bounty of sandwiches was provided for lunch by Hoosick Area churches and folks sat around and ate and talked and listened to the Washington County Band as they played patriotic music.
These are the things one would see with the eye, but the essence of the day can be better captured through pictures or even more so by speaking with those that were honored. Only they can tell you the significance of the event. Connect with one of them on the street some day and strike up that conversation.
The Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Celebration was sponsored by Voice of a Vet, Heroes at Home and American Legion Post 40, with honorary members Hoosick Township Historical Society and Patriot Guard Riders.
Thank you to all who played any role at all in helping us fulfill the mission we set out to accomplish – to provide our community an opportunity to bless and encourage and honor and recognize those who served during the Vietnam Era, who never received a proper welcome home.
There are many pictures posted on Voice of a Vet’s facebook page. Search on Facebook for Voice of A Vet Hoosick Falls.[/private]